Artwork
A Weight-thrower
A Weight-thrower is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Puqua. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A Weight-thrower is a 1790 watercolour painting by Puqua, depicting a figure preparing to throw a weighted rope. The rectangular work is one of a set of 100 paintings illustrating various occupations.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a man in a blue robe and white pants, calmly poised to throw a weight on a rope. The simple, everyday scene highlights the action, set against a plain background.
Technique & Style
The composition's empty space emphasizes the figure's movement, a characteristic of 18th-century Chinese art, which often featured straightforward depictions of daily activities.
History & Provenance
The painting was acquired from Parsons & Sons and accessioned in 1898, as documented in the Asia Department registers during a 2022 provenance research project.
Artist & collection
